Not only dogs guard livestock. The Amish have unexpected protectors.
Donkey
Instinctively hates dogs and coyotes. Attacks: bites, kicks, stomps. One donkey protects a flock of 20-30 sheep. Costs $100-500. Eats what sheep eat. Lives 25-30 years. No training needed — instinct.
Llama/Alpaca
Spits, kicks, sounds alarm. One male llama is more effective than a dog against coyotes. Plus: gives wool (2-3 kg/year). Minus: doesn't work against large predators (bear, wolf).
Geese
Best alarm system. A goose sounds off at any stranger — person, animal, car. Louder than a dog. More aggressive (a goose charges intruders). A flock of 5-6 geese — 24/7 security. Plus: eggs, meat, down.
Combination
Ideal: dog (night, far perimeter) + donkey (among flock, close protection) + geese (alarm). Cost: $300-700 one-time. Electric fence: $2,000-5,000 + electricity. Living protection is cheaper, more reliable, and reproduces.